Administrative Assistant at Wallingford Community Hospital Teresa Harries wins the award for her hard work, positivity and proactive approach.

Teresa said:

“I feel very honoured to receive this award. I feel very humbled that a colleague has taken the time and effort to nominate me, when everyone is also working hard. I love my job and everyone I work with, their support is what makes where I work an amazing place. But it is always nice to know that you are valued and appreciated. I want everyone to know they are also valued and appreciated, without each person I could not do my role. Thank you so much!”

The nomination

Teresa was nominated by Linfoot Ward Clerk Tim Farr, who is based at Witney Community Hospital.

Tim commented:

“Teresa is the glue that holds our administration team together. As the most active member of our Teams channel, she is the first to respond to calls for help from colleagues across the Trust, sharing supplies for patients and advice for us at every opportunity. She is a font of knowledge for the team and a role model, who creates and shares resources for the benefit of us and our patients and takes a proactive and enthusiastic approach to supporting everyone. She is a vocal advocate for patients and stakeholders through her exceptional work as a Patient Involvement Champion, and is passionate about our shared cause, even fundraising by shaving her head to support the end-of-life suite at Wallingford Community Hospital.

“Teresa has been instrumental in developing a Patient Council at Wallingford Community Hospital, which is a forum for patients and families to share their views and contribute to improving the quality of care on the ward.

“There’s no denying that our roles in community hospitals can be stressful and challenging at times, and I think of Teresa as a steadying source. She is always reliable, always takes times to listen, and if she doesn’t have an answer, she will go out of her way to source one. It’s a pleasure to work with such a positive and constructive team player.”

Tim also spoke to many of Teresa’s colleagues, who all agreed Teresa deserved this award.

The Patient Engagement and Involvement Lead for the team said:

“Teresa truly has the Trusts values at heart which can be seen in her work with patients, staff and families. She has championed the patients voice in ward/directorate meetings and continues to work with everyone empathetically to ensure patients experience good quality care. I have seen her first hand interact with patients, empowering them to work on co-produced pieces of work and ensuring their hard work does not go unnoticed. Teresa appears quiet, but her work with service users has been and continues to be hugely inspiring to other wards and SMT within the Directorate. She has inspired me in my own work and has shown that anything is possible, for that I am forever grateful.”